Rotary mercury circuit-breaker.



No. 792,196. PATENTED JUNE 13, 1905.

A. F. CHRISTMAS. ROTARY MERCURY CIRCUIT BREAKER.

APPLICATION FILED SEPT.23, 1904.

2 SHEETS-SHEET 1.

WITNESSES. lNVE NTVOB.

PATENTED JUNE 13, 1905.

A. F. CHRISTMAS. ROTARY MERCURY CIRCUIT BREAKER.

APPLICATION FILED SBPT.23, 1904.

2 SHEETS-SHEET 2.

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Patented June 13, 1905.

ATENT OFFicE.

ADOLPH F. CHRISTMAS, OF PITTSBURG, PENNSYLVANIA. ASSIGNOR OF TWO-THIRDSTO FRANK R. MOFEATTERS, OF WVILKINSBURG, PENN- SYLVANIA.

ROTARY MERCURY CIRCUIT-BREAKER.

SPECIFICATION forming part of Let Patent 792,196, dated June 13, 1905.

Application filed September 23, 1904. Serial No. 225,684.

To all whmn it may concern.-

Be it known that I, ADoLrn F. Cnnrs'rMAs, a resident of Pittsburg, inthe county of Allegheny and State of Pennsylvania, have invented a newand useful Improvement in Rotary Mercury Circuit-Breakers; and I dohereby declare the following to be a full, clear, and exact descriptionthereof.

My invention relates to cireuit-interrupters whereby commercial currentscan be continuously broken and again made.

The object of my invention is to so construct the circuit-breaker thatthe evil effects which result from the arcs which are formed when thecircuit is broken are overcome.

Specifically my invention relates to devices of this character wherebythe current is continuously broken and again made and alternatelyconnected to two different translating devices or two ditferentwindingsof the same translating device.

A further object of the invention is to provide a circuit-interrupter ofthe character specified whereby the moment of energization of the coilsof the translating device relative to the moment of deenergizationthereof can be regulated so as to vary the duration of the energizationof said coils and, if desired, secure a longer and stronger pull in onecoil than in the other and also to vary the time of encrgization of thetwo coils, so as to get the same into exact synchronism with areciprocating core or plunger cooperating with said coils.

With many translating devices' such, for instance, as reciprocatingmotors and the like provided with a plurality of coils-it is eithernecessary or desirable to break and make the circuit at rapid intervalsand to direct the current alternately through two coils of the motor orto two independent translating devices. One difliculty in doing this isthat the arcs which are formed when an ordinary commercial current isinterrupted cletrimentally afliect the terminals of thecircuit-interrupter, thus soon destroying the same and making theinterrupter useless. This difficulty has prevented the commercial use oftranslating devices which depend upon rapid interruptions of the currentfor their operation.

One ob ect of my inventlon is to provide a circuit-interrupter for thesepurposes wherein the above defect is overcome.

To this end theinvention consists, generally stated, in breaking thecircuit between mercury terminals inelosed in practically-sealedchambers, so that the arcs which are formed will expend themselves involatilizing the mercury; but as the latter is contained in a closedchamber it will immediately condense and again join the main body ofmercury.

With reciprocating motors having two coils for operating the core orplunger it is desirable that the coil for giving the forward or workingstroke to the core be energized more strongly than the coil giving thereturn stroke thereto. It is also desirable that the coil for giving theworking stroke be energized at the exact moment that the plunger or corehas completed its return stroke, so as to be in exact synchronism withthe vibration of said core.

Another object of my invention is to provide a circuit-interrupterhaving adjusting means for regulating the time when the circuit throughthe coil giving the working stroke is made, so that this time can bevaried in order that the coil may be energized at the exact moment whenthe core has reached the limit of its return stroke; also, in providingadjustable means for regulating the duration of the energizatlon of thetwo CQllS, so that, if deslred, the coil giving the Working stroke maybe given a stronger cnergization than the Preferably mycircuit-interrupter will be of the rotary type and has been so shown. Itcomprises a suitable movable body 1, which may be oscillated or rocked,and is shown as rotatably mounted in bearings or standards 2, secured toan insulating-base 3. The body is provided with two or more chambersinsulated from each other.

The interrupter shown in Figs. 1 and 2 is designed to direct the currentalternately through two translating devices or two coils of the sametranslating device. In this interrupter the body is provided with threechambers 4, 5, and 6, which are insulated one from the other, as may bedone by forming the walls or partitions of some insulating substance,such as porcelain, glass, fiber, or the like. In each of these chambersis a body of mercury 7, which bodies, however, only partially fill thesaid chambers. The partition 8 between the chambers 4 and 5 is providedwith an opening 9 therethrough, and the partition 10 between thechambers 4c and 6 is likewise provided with an opening 11 therethrough.When the body has been moved or rotated so that either of the openingscomes below the surface of the mercury, the mercury in the two chamberswill flow into contact through said opening, thus establishing theelectric circuit. The two openings 9 and 11 are arranged preferablyoppositely, or substantially so, so that the circuit from the chamber 4will be made alternately to the chambers 5 and 6. In the chamber 4 thereis exposed an annular metallic terminal 12, which is formed as ametallic ring interposed between the two sections in which the body isformed. This ring has an exterior circular surface, against which bearsa brush 14, connected to one terminal of the circuit. As a consequencethere is a constant electrical connection to the mercury 6 in the.chamber 1. In the chambers 5 and 6 likewise will be exposed metallicterminals, with which the mercury will be in contact, these terminalspreferably being circular or annular, so that the mercury in saidchambers will be in constant contact with said terminals. As shown inthe drawings, these terminals are formed by metallic heads 15 and 16,respectively, forming the ends of the chambers and provided with thetrunnions whereon the body is rotatably mounted in the bearings 2. Onthe ends of these trunnions are current-collecting rings 17 and 18,respectively, against which bear brushes 19 and 20, which are connectedto the separate translating devices or to different coils of the sametranslating device and which in turn are connected to the other pole ofthe circuit. The translating device or devices are shown in the diagramas comprising two coils 21 and 22, the former of which is connected by aconductor to the brush 19 of the circuit-interrupter and the latter ofwhich is connected by a conductor 24 to the brush 20 of thecircuit-interrupter. The generator is shown at 25, and one main 26 leadsfrom the same to the brush 14:, which is in permanent electricalconnection with the mercury in the chamber 4, while the return-main 27from the coils 21 and 22 is connected centrally thereto and to the otherbrush of the generator. This circuit-interrupter may be rotated in anydesirable way such, for instance, as by means of a crank connected toone of the trunnions of the body but preferably by means of a belt 28passing around the body thereof and coming from any suitable source ofpower, such as the counter-shaft in a factory or other suitable source.hen used in an electrical system, however, it is convenient to rotatethe interrupter from a motor bridged across the circuit, and in Fig. 1is shown a diagram illustrating a motor 29 as bridged across the mainsand having its armature-shaft connected by means of the belt 28 with thebody of the interrupter. In the rotation of the body the mercury remainsin the bottoms of the several chambers, and it will flow into contactthrough the openings 9 and 11, respectively, when said openings aremoved to the lower side of the body. It will be obvious that when one ofthese openings dips below the surface of the mercury the circuit will beestablished through the same, said circuit coming from the brush 14,metallic ring 12, thence through the mercury in the chamber 1, andthrough the opening in the partition to the mercury of one of the endchambers, and out through the metallic end wall of said chamber to theoutgoing brush 19 or 20, as the case may be. Inasmuch as the openings 9and 11 are oppositely arranged the current will be made alternatelythrough the coils 21 and 22 of the translating device. As soon as thebody has been rotated sufficiently far to bring the opening above thesurface of the mercury the latter will flow out of the same, thusbreaking the circuit. An are will necessarily be formed; but this willmerely expend itself in vaporizing a portion of the mercury; but as thelatter is contained in a practically sealed chamber it will againcondense and join the main body of the mercury. It will be obvious thatthe rapidity of making and breaking the circuit will depend upon therapidity of rotating the body. If desired, more than a single openingmay be made through each of the partitions 8 and 10, thus getting a morerapid interruption of the current or permitting a slower rotation of theinterrupter.

In Fig. 3 is shown a modified form of interrupter adapted for use withheavy currents, which when broken will form a long are. In this case Iprovide for the breaking of the current at several points in series witheach other, as described and claimed in my application filed August 15,1904, Serial No. 220,823. In this modification on each side of thechamber 1 are provided two or more chambers,

two being shown, 5 and 5 and 6 and 6, respectively. The partition 8between the chambers 5 and 5 is provided with an opening 9 in line withthe opening 9 in the parti tion 8, and the partition 10 between chambers6 and 6" is likewise provided with an opening 11*, which is in line withthe opening 11 in the partition 10. Each of the five chambers containsmercury, and it will be obvious that when the circuit is broken withthis modification it will be interrupted at two points in series witheach other-for instance, at the points 9 and 9 or 11 and 11. This, as iswell known, will divide the voltage by the number of interruptions inseries, and the length of the arc will be correspondingly reduced. Thisprinciple may be extended so as to provide on each side of the centralchamber any number of chambers greater than shown, so as to red ace thevoltage at each break to such a degree that even very heavy commercialcurrents can be safely broken.

If it is desired not to direct the current alternately through twodifferent translating devices, but merely to make and break the same,the interrupter will comprise only two chambers, one connected to oneterminal of the circuit and the other connected to the other terminal ofthe circuit, and the partition between the said chambers will beprovided with an opening or openings through which the mercury will flowinto contact to establish the circuit. Such modification is intended tobe included in'the terms of the claims hereinafter made.

IVhen the coils 21 and 22 are parts of a motor which has a reciprocatingcore or plunger, it is desirable that the coil giving the forward orworking stroke should be energized the moment that the core has reachedthe limit of its return stroke. If the holes 9 and 11 through thepartitions 8 and 10, respectively, of Fig. 1 are arranged exactlydiametrically opposite each other, it may happen that the energizationof the coil will not take place until a moment after the plunger hasmade its full stroke. I provide means for adjusting these holesrelatively to each other, so as to insure the energization of the coilgiving the working stroke at the exact moment that the plunger reachesthe limit of its return stroke. The two sections of the body are shownas provided with a series of holes 30, through which pass securingbolts31. In Fig. 2 twelve such openings and bolts are shown. It is obviousthat if the bolts 31 be removed the two bodysections can be rotatedrelatively to each other through one-twelfth of their circumference andthe bolts can again be passed through the holes to hold thebody-sections together. In this manner the holes 9 and 11 may beadjusted relatively in steps of thirty degrees. By increasing the numberof holes 30 an angular ELClJUSUDOHl] of less than thirty degrees may beThis admstment can be so arranged secured.

as to insure the making of the circuit through the coil giving theworking stroke at the exact moment that the plunger reaches the limit ofits return stroke, so as to have the energization in exact synchronismwith the oscillation of the core. It may also be desirable that the coilgiving the working stroke should be more strongly energized than thecoil giving the return stroke. This I accomplish by making thecollector-rings 17 and 18 so that they will also act as circuit-makers.To this end said collector-rings have set into their surfaces segmentalportions of insulating material 33, against which the brushes 19 and 20bear. These segmental portions 33 are shown as extending half-way aroundthe collector-rings; but this may of course be varied. Thecollector-rings are'secured to their respective arbors, so that they canbe angularly adjusted thereon, a suitable means for this purpose beingset-screws 34, adapted to be screwed down tightly against the arbors. Inthis manner the angular position of the collector-rings can be changedat will. The length of time that the circuit remains closed at themercury contacts depends upon the height of the mercury in the chambersand the speed of rotation. Should it be desired to shorten the durationof energization of either of the coils, the proper collector-ring willbe angularly adjusted on its arbor, so that the metallic portion thereofwill not come underneath the brush until, say, by way of illustration,the opening 9 or 11, as the case may be, has passed practically halfwaythrough the mercury body. The circuit will be broken at the mercury assoon as the opening passes above the surface of the mercury, so that bythis arrangement the coil will have been energized for only half of thetime that the mercury was in contact through the opening 9 or 11. Byadjusting the collectorrings to the desired angular position any desiredduration of energization of the coils can be secured, and the coilgiving the working stroke can be given a longer energization, andtherefore a stronger and more powerful pull, whereas the coil giving thereturn stroke need have only a short and weak energization. The metallicportions of the collector-rings will be sufficiently long so that thecircuit will never be broken at said collector-rings, but will always bebroken between the mercury in the chambers of the interrupter, so as toneutralize the evil effects of the arcs.

With all forms of my interrupter the holes or openings through thepartitions between the several chambers are of only small section in thearcuate path of said holes, and they can be located so as to dip onlyslightly below the surface of the mercury. In this'way the current willbe maintained but a short time through each of the coils and the evilresulting from the heating of the coils due to maintaining the currentfor a longer period thannecessary will be entirely overcome.

Many changes may be made in the details of construction and arrangementof the parts described without departing from the spirit of myinvention.

\Vhat I claim is 1. A circuit-interrupter comprising a movable bodyprovided with two or more chambers insulated from each other, a body ofmercury in each of said chambers but only partially filling the same,and circuit-terminals exposed in at least two of said chambers, the wallor partition between said chambers being provided with an opening oropenings through which the mercury in the two chambers will come intocontact and establish the circuit when the body is moved.

2. A circuit-interrupter comprising a movable body provided with two ormore chambers insulated from each other, a mobile conducting medium ineach of said chambers but only partially filling the same, andcircuit-terminals exposed in at least two of said chambers, the wall orpartition between said chambers being provided with an opening oropenings through which the conducting medium in the chambers will comeinto contact and establish the circuit when the body is moved.

3. A circuit-interrupter comprising a rotatable body provided with twoor more chambers insulated from each other, a mobile conducting mediumineach of said chambers but only partially filling the same, and.eircuitter minals exposed in at least two of said chambers, the wall orpartition between said chambers being provided with an opening oropenings through which the conducting medium in the chambers will comeinto contact at intervals in the rotation of the body.

i. A circuit-interrupter comprising a rotatable body provided with twoor more chambers insulated from each other, a body of mercu ry in eachof said chambers but only partially filling the same, and annularconducting-faces exposed in at least two of said chambers, the wall orpartition between said chambers being provided with an opening oropenings through which the mercury in the two chambers will come intocontact at intervals in the rotation of the body.

5. A circuit-ii'iterrupter comprising a rotatable body provided with twoor more chambers, a body of mercuryin each of said chambers but onlypartially filling the same, terminals exposed in at least two of saidchambers, and a wall or partition of insulating material between saidchambers and provided with an opening or openings through which themercury in the chambers will come into contact at intervals in therotation of the body.

6. A circuit-interrupter comprising a movable body provided with two ormore closed chambers insulated from each other, a body of mercury ineach of said chambers but only partially filling the same, andcircuit-terminals exposed in at least two 01. said. chambers, the

wall or partition between said chambers being provided with an openingor openings through which the mercury in the two chambers will come intocontact and establish the circuit when the body is moved.

7. A circuit-interrupter comprising a rotatable body provided with twoor nnore chambers insulated from each other, a mobile conducting mediumin each of said chambers, and circuit-terminals exposed in at least twoof said chambers, the wall or partition between said chambers beingprovided with an opening or openings of small section in the are inwhich the same travels, and through which the conducting medium in thetwo chambers will come into contact for a short period of time atintervals in the rotation of the body.

8. A circuit-interrupter comprising a movable body having three or morechambers insulated from each other, a mobile conducting medium in eachof said chambers but only partially filling the same, constantelectrical connections to the conducting medium in the middle chamber,and electrical connections to the conducting media in the two endchambers, the walls or partitions between the middle and end chambersbeing provided with openings arranged out of line, whereby when the bodyis moved the conducting media in the two end chambers will comealternately into contact through said openings with the conductingmedium in the central chamber and thereby establish the circuit.

9. A circuit-interrupter comprising a movable body having three or morechambers insulated from each other, a body of mercury in each chamberbut only partiallyfilling the same, constant electrical connections tothe mercury in the middle chamber, and electrical connections to themercury in the two end chambers, the walls or partitions between thecentral chamber and the two side chambers being provided with openingsarranged out of line with each other, whereby when the body is moved themercury in the two end chambers will come alternately into contactthrough said openings with the mercury in the central chamber andthereby establish the circuit.

10. A circuit-in terrupter comprising a movable body having three ormore chambers insulated from each other, a mobile conducting medium ineach chamber but only partially filling the same, constant electricalconnections to the conductingmedium in the middle chamber, andelectrical connections to the conducting media in the two end chambers,the walls or partitions between the middle and end chambers beingprovided with openings arranged out of line with each other, wherebywhen the body is moved the conducting media in the two end chambers willcome alternately into contact through said openings with the conductingmedium in the central chamber and thereby establish the circuit.

11. A eircuit-interrupter comprising a rotatable body having three ormore chambers insulated from each other, a mobile conducting medium ineach chamber but only partially filling the same, an annularconductingsurface exposed in the central and the two end chambers, andelectrical connections to said conducting-faces, the walls or partitionsbetween the central and two side chambers being provided with openingsarranged out of line with each other, whereby when the body is rotatedthe conducting media in the two end chambers will come alternately intocontact through said openings with the conducting medium in the centralchamber and thereby establish the circuit.

12. A circuit-interrupter comprisinga rotatable body having three ormore chambers, a body of mercury in each chamber but only partiallyfilling the same, constant electrical connections to the mercury in thecentral and end chambers, and walls or partitions of insulating materialbetween the central and two end chambers, said walls or partitions beingprovided with openings arranged substantially opposite to each other,whereby when the body is rotated the mercury in the two end chamberswill come alternately into contact through said openings with themercury in the central chamber.

- 13. Acircuit-interruptercomprisingamovable body having a plurality ofchambers insulated from each other, a body of mercury in each of saidchambers but only partially filling the same, electrical connections tothe bodies of mercury in the two end chambers, the partitions betweenthe several chambers being provided with openings in line with eachother, whereby when the body is moved the mercury in the severalchambers will come into contact through said openings and establish thecircuit at two or more points in series with each other.

1a. A circuit-interrupter comprising a rotatable body provided with twoend chambers, electrical connections to both of said end chambers, anumber of chambers intermediate said end chambers and insulatedtherefrom, a body of mercury in each of the several chambers,insulating-walls separating the said chambers and provided with openingsor holes in line with each other, whereby in the rotation of the bodythe mercury will come in contact through said openings to make and breakthe circuit at said several points in series with each other.

15. A circuit-interrupter comprisinga rotatable body provided with achamber, a body of mercury in said chamber but only partially fillingthe same, constant electrical connections to said mercury, and twoterminals arranged to be alternately electrically connected to themercury at intervals in the rotation of the body and being angularlyadjustable relatively to one another.

16. A circuit-interrupter comprising a rotatable body having three ormore chambers insulated from each other, a body of mobile conductingmedium in each chamber but only partially filling the same, electricalconnections to the conducting media in the said several chambers,insulating walls or partitions separating said bodies and provided withan opening or openings, whereby when the body is rotated the conductingmedium in the two end chambers will come alternately into contactthrough said openings with the conducting medium in the central chamber,and means for adjusting said partitions angularly with reference to eachother to vary the relative positions of the holes therethrough.

17. A circuit-interrupter comprisingarotatable body, partitions thereindividing the same into three or more chambers, a body of mobileconducting medium in each chamber but only partially filling the same,electrical connections to the conducting medium in each chamber, thepartitions between said chambers being provided with an opening oropenings through which the conducting medium will flow into contact,said body and partitions being provided with a series of holes, andsecuring-bolts passing therethrough and being removable, whereby theangular relations of the holesin the partitions may be variec 1 18. Acircuit-interrupter comprising a rotatable body provided with a chamber,a pair of circuit-terminals exposed in said chamber one at least ofwhich is of mercury, constant electrical connections to one of saidterminals, a collector-ring rotatable with the body and connected to theother terminal, said collector-ring having a conducting-surfaceextending only partially around the same, means for adjusting saidcollector-ring angularly with reference to the body, and a brush bearingagainst said collector-ring.

19. Acircuit-interrupter comprisinga rotatable body provided with achamber, a body of mercury in said chamber but only partially fillingthe same, a circuit-terminal connected to said mercury, a pair ofoppositely-arranged terminals arranged to come alternately into contactwith said mercury, collector-rings secured to rotate with the body andconnected to said two oppositely-arranged terminals, saidcollector-rings being provided with conducting surfaces extending onlypartially around the same, means for adjusting said collector-ringsangularly with reference to the body, and brushes bearing against saidcollector-rings.

20. A circuit-interrupter comprising a rotatable body having a pluralityof chambers insulated from each other, a body of mercury in each chamberbut only partially filling the same, the wall or partition between thesaid chambers being provided with an opening or IIO openings to permitthe mercury to come into the other body of mercury, a collector-ringconnected to said last-named terminal and ring being provided with aconducting-surtace extending only partially around the same, means foradjusting said collector-ring angularly with reference to the body, anda brush bearing against said collector-ring.

21. A circuit-interrupter comprising a rotatable body having three ormore chambers insulated from each other, a body of mercury in eachchamber but only partially filling the a same, the walls or partitionsbetween said chambers being provided with oppositely-arranged openingsto permit the mercury to come into contact and establish the circuit, acircuit-terminal in permanent electrical connection with the mercury ofthe middle chamber, terminals in contact with the mercury in the twoside chambers, collector-rings connected to each of said terminals andmounted to rotate with the body, said collector-rings being providedwith conducting-surfaces extending only partially around the same, meansfor adjusting said collector-rings angularly with relation to the body,and brushes bcarcontact to establish the circuit, a circuit-terminal inpermanent connection with one of i said bodies of mercury, a terminalexposed to 1 ing against said collector-rings.

22. A circuit-intcrrupter comprising a rotatable body having three ormore chambers insulated from each other, a body of mercury in each ofsaid chambers but only partially mounted to rotate with the body, saidcollectorfilling the same, the walls or partitions between said bodiesbeing provided with an opening or openings to permit the mercury to comeinto contact and being angularly adjustable with relation to each other,a circuit-terminal in permanent electrical connection with the mercuryin the middle chamber, terminals in contact with the mercury in each ofthe side chambers, a collector-ring connected to each of said terminalsand mounted to rotate with the body, said collector-rings being providedwith conducting-surfaces extending only partially around the same, meansfor adjusting said collector-rings angularly with reference to the body,and a brush bearing against each of said collector-rings.

In testimony whereof I, the said ADoLru F. CHRISTMAS, have hereunto setmy hand.

ADOLPH F. OHRLSTMAS.

Witnesses:

ROBERT C. TOT'IEN, G. C. RAYMOND.

